Defense carried the Boilermakers to a bowl game last season but the offense must shoulder that responsibility in 2018

Wide receiver Terry Wright of the Offense looks for additional yardage after a pass reception against the Defense during the Purdue spring game Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Offense defeated the Defense 42-36.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

Story Highlights

Purdue averaged 25.2 points in 2018 but will need to increase its production this season

With QB's David Blough and Elijah Sindelar back, the offense is equipped to stake a step forward

Major question mark is at receiver where Purdue has plenty of options but lack experience

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After one year of sizing up the Big Ten’s landscape, Jeff Brohm was asked how Purdue stacks up, especially in the West Division, heading into his second season?

“The Big Ten, in general, I thought overall has very good defenses and they’re physical and the defenses are productive. I think the offenses are average in that maybe they're not quite as explosive and as fast and as high powered as some other teams,” Brohm said.

Based on Brohm’s coaching history and reputation, a potent offense is how the Boilermakers will be defined in the future. But that must start in 2018 for several reasons.

Purdue did average 25.2 points last season – the program’s highest mark since 2012 – and welcomes back plenty of experience across the unit. That experience needs to translate into more scoring opportunities – and touchdowns - as a young and inexperienced defense searches for an identity, especially early in the season

David Blough and Elijah Sindelar return at quarterback. The running back position has plenty of numbers. The offensive line brings back four starters and adds Western Kentucky graduate transfer Dennis Edwards to the mix. The tight ends will be a strength.

The major question is who emerges as playmakers at the receiver spots. The candidates are numerous but this will be key to how big of a step Brohm’s offense takes in Year 2.

“I think our offense has the potential to be really good this year,” Blough said.

Under Brohm, it should be. History tells us Brohm will have the offense cranked up. In three seasons at Western Kentucky, Brohm’s teams averaged more than 44 points per game.

Granted, playing in Conference USA doesn't compare to the Big Ten, and Brohm and his coaching staff are still working with players they didn’t recruit. They’ve upgraded the talent with the addition of receivers Rondale Moore, Kory Taylor, Amad Anderson, Jr., and Jordan Bonner to supplement what’s already here.

The newcomers should give the program more speed and explosiveness on the outside.

“I think we should be better this year and I think as the years progress, it will be about getting playmakers and speed and guys that can be an advantage on the outside,” Brohm said. “If we can do that, yeah, we can make improvement.

“For this year, I think the young receivers will be an addition; how fast can they help?”

Moore, a dynamic playmaker from Louisville Trinity, will see action. He caught 109 passes as senior and has the quickness and skill in his route running to make an immediate impact. But Isaac Zico, Terry Wright, Jarrett Burgess and quarterback turned receiver Jared Sparks can’t struggle during the first month.

Jackson Anthrop returns after catching a team-best 47 passes as a redshirt freshman.

“Some of the other guys that have been here have to step up and become playmakers,” Brohm said. “Otherwise, we’re not special at that position. I think we need to try to be more special.”

The Boilermakers had their moments last year when the offense looked solid. With Sindelar playing with a torn ACL, Purdue averaged 31 points in its last three games, beating Iowa, Indiana and Arizona.

By the middle of November, the offense started to click for a variety of reasons.

However, there were other games where the offense couldn’t get going. Some of that was the opposition – Michigan and Wisconsin both finished in the top three nationally in total defense – and other games where the Boilermakers committed numerous mistakes.

It cost them, and if it happens again who knows if the defense will be in a position to step up.

“Against Wisconsin, the defense gave us great field position but we couldn’t get in the end zone,” Barron said. “Same with the Rutgers game. Even the Nebraska game. We were up and we had the ball in our hands and all we needed was a first down. We couldn’t do it.

“It’s stuff like that. We need to make sure we’re consistent and we’re consistently great. We can’t have an off-night.”

More to Barron’s point. He said the defense didn’t have an off-night last season. That’s 13 games. It’s hard to argue because Purdue allowed 30 or more points twice – the opener against Louisville and against Arizona. The defense was always there, bringing Purdue to a bowl game for the first time since 2012.

“They showed up day in, day out ready to work and ready to compete,” he said. “That is something we tried doing last year but we were a little young and a little behind in the playbook.”

The Boilermakers are no longer young across the board on offense. They’ve had more than enough time – two spring practices and a full season – to digest and master Brohm’s offense.

Combining the returning players, the knowledge of the system and Brohm’s ability to take advantage of defenses and call plays, a major step is needed for the program's momentum to continue.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Barron said. “Last year, we let down the coaching staff a little bit with our performances on the field. We were able to put up points but I don’t think we were able to put it up consistently. The biggest thing for us is finding that consistency.”

2018 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 vs. Northwestern, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 8 vs. Eastern Michigan, noon (BTN)

Sept. 15 vs. Missouri, 7:30 p.m. (BTN)

Sept. 22 vs. Boston College, noon (ABC/ESPN/ESPN2)

Sept. 29 at Nebraska, 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. (TBA)

Oct. 13 at Illinois, 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. (TBA)

Oct. 20 vs. Ohio State

Oct. 27 at Michigan State

Nov. 3 vs. Iowa

Nov. 10 at Minnesota

Nov. 17 vs. Wisconsin

Nov. 24 at Indiana

Isaac Zico of Purdue celebrates with Terry Wright after his touchdown reception at 12:32 in the third quarter against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)